Restoring empty trash

Is there any route to restoring files from trash that has been emptied?
Please do not laugh. Ok, go ahead, laugh...

 

Clarification

Apologies, I should have been more specific. From the begining:
I created a folder in my documents folder, and named it. I dragged it to the leftmost column of the Finder. It did not move, it was copied. I did not need or want two folders, in two locations, so I deleted the original folder. The copied folder, (or Alias) was fine - I could open it, put things in, take things out, create subfolders, open files from there, save to there, whatever. This went on for several weeks, all the while with the (Original) folder in the Trash. When all of these folder functions work perfectly, with the Original in the trash; what do I need the Original for? I emptied the Trash.
Access to the Alias no longer worked. No subfolders, no files, nothing.
I did not actually delete the files or the subfolders, so looking for deleted files with DataRescue, (while a very cool program), did not work. I did a QuickSearch, a DeletedFiles search and an ExtendedSearch in DataRescue.
I do not know how to look for deleted directories. I used SEARCH and FIND, I tried looking for Orphans with FileBuddy, everything I could think of. (I actually do not know what Orphans are, it just sounded appropriate.)
Are these folders and files sitting somewhere? Can I find them or re-create access to them?
Or should I move on, and chalk this all up to experience?
Should I not add folders to the leftmost column of the Finder? That seems to be my first mistake. I never imagined that a folder in the Finder would be routed through the Trash to access files. (...though I sometimes do...)
Thank you for the earlier replies, and in advance for any future ones.
Sincerely.